Costa Rica trip safety?

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tico times directory

I happen to agree with Costa Rica Blogger (including the blonde hair, blue eyes GRINGO, part). I consider Costa Rica my second home and have NEVER had a problem, and I have traveled that country for over 30 years. I will add, when one becomes â€œThe Ugly American, expect to be treated like one!â€

My youngest son had 6 friends who went to Costa Rica last Spring Break, according to my son, a two of the guys as soon as they stepped off the plane (drunk) they started treating the Costa Ricans as inferior people. Needless to say, it only took the two guys a couple of days before both of them got robbed and beaten up walking out of a nightclub.

Friends of mine that surf have told me the same, where one or two guys will wave hog, and the next thing they know, their SUV is broken into.

And to be honest, I see that type of â€œUgly Americanâ€ mentality every time I go down there. I never will forget the time I saw a family of five, where the husband was so loud and rude to a taxi driver, it was damn embarrassing.

Here are some tips

http://ticotimes.com/costa-rica/safe-traveling-carrying-cash-91
http://ticotimes.com/costa-rica/manners-faux-pas-pura-vid

And then you hear the countless good stories, like the one guy whose friends left him drunk in a bar, and the doorman found him stumbling down the street. Because the guy treated the doorman with respect, and common courtesy, the doorman took him to his hotel - this is the real Costa Rica!

For every one bad story you hear, there are 1000s of good ones like the one above....

eldecocr

Well, Im from Costa Rica and first I have to tell you that my country is beatifull, and well you are going to enjoy it, now..
1) If you are going to be on San Jose (capital) you should be alert try not to walk and always try to get a cap or something, I mean is not that dangerous, but anyways u have to do it anywere. so ya...
2) in the rest of the country u can be relaxed nothing is going to happen 2 ya.. soo ya... lol ..

u gonna love my country.. lol

Hondu

Crime is increasing in CR, especially in the tourist areas but, if you exercise caution and good judgement, just as you would in your own country, you will be just fine.

ticosland2008

I have been living in Costa Rica for almost 5 years now and have never had any problems. I live in a typical, Costa Rican, middle class neighborhood. Yes, there are crime problems in Costa Rica. However, if you keep your wits about you and remember that no place is 100% safe, you will be okay and not be completely neurotic about your visit. If you have any other questions about Costa Rica or if you need further information, try visiting the TicosLand.com Costa Rica directory or our external blog.

CostaRicaBlogger.com

As you already mentioned, any travel experience (including a walk to your local store) includes being aware of your surroundings and taking some responsibility for your own successful vacation.

I am a blond haired, blue eyed, English speaking "gringo" with a capital GRINGO. In my almost 10 years of extended visits and living in Costa Rica I have never personally experienced a single personal safety problem â€¦ this includes exploring all corners of San Jose many, many times on foot & walking beaches at 3:00am in heavy tourist areas.

Costa Rica is a wonderful country with wonderful people. But just like anywhere else in the world, a very few trouble makers make the headlines and cause good people like yourself to question your safety in an otherwise great destination. Trust me when I say, Costa Ricanâ€™s as a society loath those few that make the rest of the country look bad.

I recommend you remain as vigilant and aware of your surroundings as you should in any Wal-Mart parking lot - especially after the sun sets. Depending on your location, you can be regularly approached by those seeking to sell you or ask you for something ... just keep walking and say: "gracias no". If they keep following you, sternly look them in the eyes and say: "JA !!!". If you're not a good victim you will generally be left alone by those looking for an easy target.

And finally, I suggest that you take lots of pictures for your lifetime of great Costa Rica memories!

Â¡Pura VacaciÃ³n Familiar!

puravida13

Costa Rica is very welcoming to Costa Rica. If you are familiar to Spanish, then you will understand this. In Costa Rica, they always use the "usted" form of you, never "tu". Costa Rica is considered to be the most polite country in Latin America. Costa Ricans are extremely helpful and nice, but in San Jose especially, there is a fair amount of stealing. If you are carrying a backpack, then always put your valuables in a deep pocket because somebody could easily open your backpack, and steal without you even noticing. Also, if you are wearing a purse or a bag, then put it in front of you because there are cases of people actually cutting open the bag with a knife and running.

cornelia.star

Yes Costa Rica is safe and very touristy! I am an American expat living and working in Latin America and I have found that the best place for information on travel through this part of the world is on Viva Travel guides, here is a link to their Costa Rica page:

http://www.vivatravelguides.com/central-america/costa-rica/

Sara L

It's sketchy every where! just keep your eyes open and be alert to all people you come in contact to.... you never know, but you do meet a lot of cool random people, be it ticos or americans or europeans :)

DNT

Costa Rica has the highest standard of living in Central America and is also the safest country from crime in all of Latin America. The main threat to tourist safety is themselves when they say "Hold my beer and watch this." It has the same dangers as any coastal country on the coast, the same as any mountain country in the mountains, any jungle area in the jungle, and even some desert in the south. So with such a diverse ecology, there come the diverse opportunies to hurt yourself. Common sense can overcome all of these so enjoy the bounty.

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